🌱 Patch AM: What your Syracuse Common Council plans for I-81, housing, and crime

Hello again Syracuse! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What your Syracuse Common Council plans for I-81, housing, and crime
• How a South Side apartment fire unfolded in just 20 minutes
• Central New York mourns Syracuse-born James F. Petrello, 87

Also on today's calendar: AUBURN, NY - NYS Notary Law Exam Prep Workshop hosted by Law Author Alfred E Piombino - Cayuga CC and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Cloudy, snow showers; frigid, with a high of 19 and low of 11 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: A little snow in the p.m., temps: high: 25, low: 14.
• Tuesday: Low clouds, with a high of 29 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Interview: Syracuse Common Councilor Jimmy Monto on what to expect for 2026 (localsyr.com) — Syracuse Common Councilor Jimmy Monto previews a pivotal 2026, as a new mayor and two new councilors tackle the I-81 viaduct disruption, a housing crunch, crime, and the city’s structural deficit. He stresses better communication with residents during construction and anticipates a collaborative but independent relationship with Mayor-elect Sharon Owens, the city’s first Black mayor.
   

2. Fire damages apartment at Syracuse complex on South Side (syracuse.com) — A Saturday afternoon fire heavily damaged a second-floor apartment at Brighton Place Townhouses on West Brighton Avenue on Syracuse’s South Side, though no residents, firefighters or pets were hurt. Crews quickly searched the unit, knocked down the flames in about 20 minutes, and investigators are still working to determine what sparked the blaze.
   

3. James F. Petrello, 87, Rensselaer Falls (northcountrynow.com) — Syracuse natives may recognize James F. Petrello, born in the city in 1938 and brother to a Syracuse resident, who has passed away at 87 in Rensselaer Falls. The longtime Newell Manufacturing and St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center worker is remembered for his volunteer service, love of simple pastimes, and devotion to family, who invite memorial donations to charity.
   

4. Junior guard for Cicero-North Syracuse boys basketball breaks 3-point school record in victory over Section V foe (syracuse.com) — A Cicero-North Syracuse junior guard just set a new school record by hitting nine three-pointers in a win over Wilson Magnet, highlighting the Northstars’ deep outside shooting. Coach Kyle Martin praised Larry Nesci’s work ethic and defense, while noting C-NS now turns its focus to hosting undefeated Liverpool on Tuesday night.
   

5. Gillibrand, lawmakers ‘slam' Trump tariffs at small business event (dailyorange.com) — A Syracuse brewery, Talking Cursive in downtown, hosted Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and other Democrats as they blasted President Trump’s tariffs for driving up costs and squeezing small businesses. Local owners described higher aluminum and ingredient prices, while Syracuse officials warned residents are feeling the pinch and urged political action to support neighborhood employers.
   

📸 Around Syracuse

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Syracuse

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• AUBURN, NY - NYS Notary Law Exam Prep Workshop hosted by Law Author Alfred E Piombino - Cayuga CC
  Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St, Auburn
  5:30 pm
• AUBURN, NY - NYS Notary Law Exam Prep Workshop hosted by Law Author Alfred E Piombino - Cayuga CC
  Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St, Auburn
  5:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 14

• OPEN MIC NIGHT w/ J. Heathen
  Funk 'n Waffles , 307-13 S Clinton St , Syracuse
  8:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
  Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater , 421 Montgomery St. , Syracuse
  7:30 pm

📣 Syracuse Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 14

• HOLIDAY CLASSICS FOR ALL IN GENEVA
  Smith Opera House , 82 Seneca St , Geneva
  3:00 pm
• FREE SHOW - TIM HERRON
  Funk 'n Waffles , 307-13 S Clinton St , Syracuse
  6:00 pm
• Mark Curry (21+ Event)
  Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant , 10301 Destiny USA Dr , Syracuse
  9:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Girls 7th/8th Volleyball v. Southside Academy Charter School, Syracuse
  Lyncourt School
  4:00 pm
• KWS BRE Winter Chorus Concert
  North Syracuse Junior High School , 5353 West Taft Road , North Syracuse
  6:30 pm
• ARE Chorus Concert
  Roxboro Road Middle School , 300 Bernard Street , Mattydale
  6:30 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Winter Sports Physicals
  Pine Grove Middle School , 101 Spartan Way , East Syracuse
  8:30 am
• RRMS 6th Grade Concert
  Roxboro Road Middle School , 300 Bernard Street , Mattydale
  7:00 pm
• GRMS Chorus Concert
  Gillette Road Middle School , 6150 South Bay Road , Cicero
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Girls 7th/8th Volleyball v. Faith Heritage
  Lyncourt School
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Special needs kitten.
  My sister and brother in law, cares for a colony of cats and has them spayed and neutered, when able. My brother in law was recently killed in a car… (Nextdoor Eastwood)
• Transplant informed Arieal yesterday she will be waiting 5-7 years for a new kidney because she is O negative.
  They informed her finding a living donor is her best bet. She’s already been on dialysis for a year and a half, lost 80 lbs and is now suffering from… (Nextdoor Brighton)

• Syracuse University posted a job opening for Assistant Director, Student Events and Activities in Syracuse. Apply here.
• American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. posted a job opening for Offline - Stock Associate - Early Morning (Off-Hours) in Syracuse. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Syracuse here.

Ok Syracuse! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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